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Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.)Franco
Norfolk Island Pine
Not native to Florida
Utilized in landscapes throughout the peninsula, Norfolk Island pine has escaped into the wild in Pasco County and in parts of extreme south Florida. Native to Norfolk Island off the coast of Australia, it is also a popular indoor container plant in regions that are too cold for it to survive outside.
Araucaria heterophylla is a tall evergreen tree growing in a conical or pyramidal shape. One of the most distinguishing features are the whorled tiers of five horizontal branches. These branches have two rows of horizontal secondary branches that droop slightly. Juvenile leaves are needle-like and awl-shaped up to 1.3cm (1/2 in.) long ending in sharp points that are slightly incurved. Mature leaves are lanceolate to ovate-triangular up to 6mm (1/4 in.) long and overlapping in a scale-like manner pointing towards the end of the branchlets. The male pollen cones are cylindrical up to 5cm (2 in.) long. Female cones are spiny-scaled and almost globular, and from 7.6-15cm (3 to 6 in.) in diameter.
Araucaria heterophylla is a member of the Araucariaceae - Araucaria family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Feb 23, 2024
